The gentle one
Alcohol-free witch hazel
Less drying, which suits sensitive or dry skin.
Good for: Skin
What variations of witch hazel exist?
A plant extract used as an astringent on the skin. It's applied to soothe minor skin irritation, insect bites, and hemorrhoids. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
- Also consider
- Easy to take: the handy pads (Witch hazel pads or wipes)
Every form, in plain words
The gentle one
Alcohol-free witch hazel
Less drying, which suits sensitive or dry skin.
Good for: Skin
The handy pads
Witch hazel pads or wipes
A common, practical form for hemorrhoids.
Good for: Easy to take
Usually skip
- The drying one (Witch hazel with alcohol)Can dry out and sting irritated skin.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Alcohol-free witch hazel' on the label (the gentle one)
Watch out for
- High alcohol content if you have dry or sensitive skin
- Added fragrance
Check with your provider first if…
- Don't swallow it. Products for the skin aren't meant to be taken by mouth.
- Rectal bleeding, or hemorrhoids that don't improve: see your provider
- Stop if it causes dryness, stinging, or a rash
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.